Ernest Arthur Wollenberg

October 12, 2000

Ernest Arthur Wollenberg, 62, known affectionately as "Ernie the Baker," died Sunday, Oct. 8, in his Downers Grove home. Mr. Wollenberg worked for more than 25 years for Fingerhut Bakeries in Cicero and then until his retirement for Busy Bee Bakery in Downers Grove. "He started working at Fingerhut when he was 16. They hired him part time as a floor scraper, cleaning up the dough,"' said his daughter Laura Cichon. Mr. Wollenberg specialized in bread during his career. A frequent and welcomed caller to various Chicago radio shows, Mr. Wollenberg, as "Ernie the Baker," reminded listeners that ponckys were being baked and made ready for Fat Tuesdays, his daughter said. "He was a big Elvis and Marilyn Monroe fan and loved trains, the Lionels and the real ones," she said. Mr. Wollenberg was born in Cicero. He graduated from Providence-St. Mel High School. "If he didn't become a baker, he would have been a fireman," his daughter said. Mr. Wollenberg was a volunteer fireman with the Bellwood and Downers Grove Fire Departments. Mr. Wollenberg also was known for the 4th of July displays of hundreds of flags outside his home, which attracted numerous passersby and was the subject of a story in his local newspaper, she said. Other survivors include two other daughters, Michele Johnson and Noel; former wives Garnelle MacDonald and Alice Novak; six grandchildren; and five stepgrandchildren. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Friday in Toon Funeral Home, 4920 Main St., Downers Grove. Services will be at 10 a.m. Saturday in the funeral home.